This instructional unit contains four classroom lessons dealing with energy for use in grades six and seven. The overall objective is to provide students with a comparative overview of two basic energy concepts: energy is a basic need in all cultures; and energy use affects the way people live. In the lessons, which can easily be integrated into studies of world cultures and physical geography of the world, students compare Accra, Ghana, with the Washington, D.C. area in terms of climate, geographic location, energy dependence, and services that meet their needs. The four lessons developed by teachers are: (1) A Geographical Picture of Two Cities; (2) Tracing the Sources of Electric Power in Ghana and in the Washington, D.C. area; (3) Two Transportation Systems: How Are They Alike? How Are They Different; and (4) How Is Electricity Used In Two Different Cultures? The second lesson can also be taught in science courses. Students construct climagraphs, analyze and interpret fact sheet maps and bar graphs, answer questions about highway and road maps, and examine case studies. A time allotment varying from one to four classes for each of the four lessons is suggested, but will probably vary depending on student interest and ability. Each lesson contains complete teacher and student materials background information for the teacher on the topic under study. (Author/RM)